Rotating vessel processing machine, especially vessel filling machine

ABSTRACT

A machine, especially for filling vessels in which a rotary table has circumferentially distributed vessel supports thereon. Mounted on the table for vertical movement thereon is a machine part having valve controlled filling devices to engage the vessels. A further machine part having valve actuating means is supported above the first mentioned machine part, and is also vertically moveable. Screw drives are connected to the machine parts and have drive motors with one of the motors manually controlled and with the other of the motors being controlled in response to relative movement of the machine parts so that the machine parts maintain a certain relationship relative to each other.

Riedel et al.

Feb. 5, 1974 ROTATING VESSEL PROCESSING MACHINE, ESPECIALLY VESSELFILLING MACHINE Inventors: Rudolf Riedel, Bad Kreuznach; Felix Zelder,Muenster-Sarmsheim, both of Germany Seitz-Werke G.m.b.H., Bad Kreuznach,Germany Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 Appl. No.: 210,785

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 5, 1971 Germany P 21 00 284.6

Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-WalterBecker [57] ABSTRACT A machine, especially for filling vessels in whicha rotary table has circumferentially distributed vessel supportsthereon. Mounted on the table for vertical movement thereon is a machinepart having valve controlled filling devices to engage the vessels. Afurther machine part having valve actuating means is supported above thefirst mentioned machine part, and is also vertically moveable. Screwdrives are connected to the machine parts and have drive motors with oneof the motors manually controlled and with the other of the motors beingcontrolled in response to relative movement of the machine parts so thatthe machine parts maintain a certain relationship relative to eachother.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ROTATING VESSEL PROCESSING MACHINE,ESPECIALLY VESSEL FILLING MACHINE The present invention relates to arotating vessel processing machine, especially vessel filling machine,which comprises a machine table which is stationary with regard to avertical movement thereof and carries the lifting elements while beingprovided with a plurality of supporting columns concentrically arrangedabout the axis of rotation of the machine and provided with a screwdrive each. The machine table is furthermore provided with a machineupper part resting on the machine table and equipped withvalve-controlled vessel processing elements, and with holding means forsupporting the control means for actuating the valves of the processingelements. The holding means are arranged on vertical supports andsurrounding the machine upper part substantially along a circle whilebeing adjustable as to height together therewith.

For purposes of processing vessels of different heights, it is in mostinstances necessary to adjust the machine upper part in conformity withthe respective height of the vessels. It is furthermore necessary toadjust the holding means in conformity with the adjustment of themachine upper part.

With vessel processing machines of the above identified type it is knownto effect the height adjustment of the annular holding means for thecontrol means acting upon the valves of the processing elements togetherwith the adjustment of the machine upper part which is movable upwardlyand downwardly by means of a screw drive. Customarily this is effectedby a fixed coupling of the holding means with the machine upper part.The holding means are individually detachably connected to the verticalsupports. Roller pairs arranged on the circumference of the holdingmeans rest against a ring flanged to the machine upper part.

With the mechanical coupling it has been found that the roller pairswhich in most instances are continuously in engagement with the rotatingflange ring are subjected to considerable wear. Also these roller pairsdo not assure a precise and equal or corresponding adjustment as toheight of the machine upper part and the holding means. In additionthereto, the previously known coupling requires the attention of theoperator who each time prior to a height adjustment of the machine upperpart has to disengage all connections of the holding means in order toavoid any damage to the adjusting elements. The time required inconnection with these operations increases the idling time of themachine and thereby decreases the output and, above all, is thereforeundesired with high output machines.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention for vesselprocessing machines of the above mentioned type, especailly vesselfilling machines, to provide a height adjustment common to the machineupper part and the holding means. This height adjustment will, besuitable above all, for high output machines and will avoid thedrawbacks of previously known devices. In particular, this will avoid amechanical coupling between the two height adjustable machine elements.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention willappear more clearly from the following specification in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a vessel processing machine according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the machine of FIG. 1 as seen along theline II II of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively illustrate details of the machine of FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 5 shows a control circuit for the machine according to theinvention.

The rotating vessel processing machine according to the presentinvention is characterized primarily in that also the supports for theholding or carrier means are each provided with a screw drive and areadjustable as to height. The rotatable and simultaneously axiallymovable transmission elements pertaining to the screw drives for thesupports as well as the rotatable and longitudinally movabletransmission elements of the screw drives of the supporting columns areinterconnected by intermediate shafts. While each is provided with adrive motor, the same are combined to form transmission trains withspeeds respectively differing from each other. The slowly rotatingtransmission train is adapted either through the supports to act uponthe holding means or through the supporting columns to act upon themachine upper part and together with one of these height adjustablemachine elements to form a guiding drive. The fast rotating transmissiontrain which is in engagement with the other height adjustable machineelement forms a follow drive. The vessel processing machine according tothe invention is furthermore characterized in that, on one hand, themotor of the guiding drive is connectable by means of a switch to acontrol voltage source. The guiding drive is continuously movableupwardly and downwardly and comprises control means. On the other hand,the follow drive is likewise equipped with control means which areadapted by the control means of the guiding drive to be influenced inconformity with the respective height position of the control means ofthe guiding drive. Thus in conformity with the respective prevailingdifference in height between the machine upper part and the holdingmeans, the motor of the follow drive is turned on and is turned offafter the height adjustable machine part of the follow drive has beenmoved to the height range of the continuously movable machine part ofthe guiding drive.

In view of the primary feature of the present invention, namely tocontrol the holding means and the machine upper part in mutualinterdependence, while always one of these machine elements movable asto height follows the other to the occupied height position, a highlysatisfactory automatic adjustment as to height is realized with aminimum of operating devices and electric control means.

According to the present invention, the control means associated withthe guiding and follow drive comprise a switch, preferably acontact-free switch, and an actuating element for actuating the switch.The switch together with the guiding drive is adjustable as to heightand comprises a contact connected into the control circuit of the motorof the follow drive. The actuating element comprises a metallic partwhich is adjustable together with the follow drive and which is adaptedto open the switch when the machine upper part and the holding meanshave reached approximately the same location as to height. The samebrings about the closing of the contact when the locations as to heightof the machine upper part and of the holding means differ from eachother.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slowlyrotating transmission train acts upon the supporting means and togethertherewith and with the holding means forms the guiding drive. Thesupporting columns operatively connected to the fast rotatingtransmission train-together with the machine upper part form the followdrive. The switch adjustable as to height together with the guidingdrive comprises a proximity switch. The switch element adjustable withthe follow drive comprises a strip-shaped metal part which is arrangedwithin the region of the supporting means or the machine upper partopposite to the switch.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the proximityswitch and the metal strip are arranged within the region of the machineupper part in the center of the machine while being located opposite toeach other. The switch is arranged on a traverse or bar connected to theholding means and bridging the machine upper part. The strip isconnected to a platform provided at the upper end of the machine upperpart.

According to a further development of the invention, the switch foractuating the motor of the guiding drive likewise comprises a proximityswitch. The same is adapted to be lifted and lowered by the guidingdrive and together with the proximity switch is adapted to control themotor of the follow drive and is adapted to be controlled by a stripwhich is adjustable by the follow drive as to height. The switchcontrolling the motor of the guiding drive furthermore comprises acontact which is connected into the control circuit of the motor.

In conformity with the invention, the proximity switch for the motor ofthe guiding drive is likewise mounted on a traverse or bar and isarranged in the same plane with the proximity switch for the motor ofthe follow drive. The metal strip associated therewith expedientlyfollows a component of the strip adapted to control the proximity switchfor the follow drive. To this end, the strip common to both switches isexpediently step-shaped and has a narrow surface side facing theproximity switch of the motor for the follow drive and also has a widesurface side facing the proximity switch of the motor for the guidingdrive. The respective associated switch is adapted to be controlledwithin the region of the respective surface side.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it should be noted that FIGS. 1and 2 show only that much of a vessel filling machine as is necessry forthe understanding of the invention. More specifically, the arrangementshown in the drawings comprises a central part comprising theconnections for the liquid and gas conduits. The central part 10 has avertical axis of rotation, a machine table 12 equipped with the liftingelements 11 and stationary with regard to height, and a machine upperpart which is adjustable as to height and comprises primarily a circularliquid container 13 with a plurality of valve controlled fillingelements 14 connected thereto. The machine upper part 15 is connected bymenas of horizontal traverses or bars 16 to an axially displaceablejournal 17 of the central part 10 and by means of a plurality ofvertical supporting columns 18 concentrically arranged around thecentral part 10 rests on the table 12. The columns 18 at the same timeinterconnect the upper part 15 and the table 12 for the common rotationbrought about by a drive motor not shown, while the lifting elements 11and the valve controll filling elements 14 are located opposite to eachother. Each column 18 primarily comprises two telescopicallyinterengaging and movable pipes 18a and 18b of which the inner pipe 18ais flanged to the table 12 and the outer pipe 18b guided on the innerpipe 18a is connected within the region of the liquid container 13 to atraverse 16. Each of the columns 18 has associated therewith a screwdrive 19, 20 which comprises a threaded nut 19 and a threaded spindle20. Expediently, the nut 19 forms the stationary transmission part andis inserted into the inner pipe 18a and connected thereto. The spindle20 guided in the nut 19 is rotatable and at the same time axiallydisplaceable. By means of that end of the spindle 20 which protrudesfrom the nut 19, the spindle 20 is connected to the shaft butt of astepdown transmission 22 which is connected to the upper cover 23 of themantle pipe 19b.

As will be seen from FIG. 1, the threaded spindles 20 of thetransmissions of nuts 19, spindle 20 are interconnected by intermediateshafts 24 through the intervention of the stepdown transmissions 22. Theshafts 24 are provided expediently at the output side ofa precedingstepdown transmission 22 and at the input side of a succeedingtransmission 22 with a joint 25 and interconnect the transmissions ofnuts 19, spindle 20 to form a transmission train A which has a commondrive motor 26 mounted on a traverse 16 and also has a common brake 27.Through the intervention of a belt drive 28, the motor 26, expedientlyat the first transmission location of nuts 19, spindle 20, drives thetransmission train A, whereas the brake 27 acts upon the last mentionedtransmission. For purposes of realizing the supporting structure of themachine upper part, there are provided additional traverses 29 whichinterconnect the columns 18 in a star-like manner.

FIG. 2 shows vertical supporting means 30 including a plurality thereofin mutually spaced relationship to each other surround the machine table12 as well as the machine part 15 and respectively by means of thenonillustrated lower end thereof rest on the ground. Similar to thecolumns 18,which in effect are circumferentially distributed vesselsupporting means also the supporting means 30 comprise twotelescopically interengaging and movable pipes 30a and 30b and areprovided each with a screw drive 31, 32 comprising a transmission nut 31and a threaded spindle 32. The fixedly arranged nut 31 is mounted on theinner pipe 30a resting on the ground, whereas the rotatable and axiallymovable spindle 32 extends through the outer pipe 30b and has its freeend connected to the shaft butt of a stepdown transmission 34 which isconnected to an upper cover 35 of the mantle pipe 301;. Also in thisinstance, as shown in FIG. 1, the transmissions including nuts 31,spindle 32 are interconnected to form a transmission train B by means offlexible intermediate shafts 36 which extend from the output side of astepdown transmission 34 to the input side of a succeeding stepdowntransmission 34. The transmission train B has associated therewith adrive motor 37 and a brake 38.

Substantially circular holding or carrier means 40 surround the machineupper part 15 and are connected to the mantle pipes 30b of the supports30, preferably in the direction toward the liquid container 13.Adjustably mounted on the machine upper part 15 are control means 41 inthe form of supports or protrusions which extend into the rotary path ofthe valves 42 of the filling elements 14. Connected to the holding means40, expediently having an angular profile, is a horizontal traverse 43which extends in a bridge-like manner above the machine upper part 15.As will be seen from FIG. 3, an arm 46 is connected to a platform 45which is arranged on the axial bearing 17 of the machine upper part andwhich is stationary relative to the rotating upper part 15 and whichsurrounds the non-illustrated means for transferring electric energyfrom ths stationary to the rotating part of the machine. On arm 46 restsan angular holding member 47 which has its vertical leg provided with ahorizontal metal strip 48. The strip 48 which expediently has arectangular cross section, as shown in FIG. 4, is stepped and has anarrow and a wide surface side 48a and 48b in slightly spacedarrangement located opposite the proximity switches b3, b4 and b5mounted on a supporting plate 49. The arrangement of the control meansin the machine center is such that the switches b3 and b4 face the widestrip surface 48b, whereas the switch b5 faces the narrow strip surface48a. The supporting plate 49 in turn is adjustable as to height and isarranged on a bar 50 which extends perpendicularly with regard to thetraverse 43. Expediently, the vertically downwardly directed bar 50 isguided in a cutout provided at the free end of arm 46.

It is essential and required that, for instance by suitable stepping ofthe stepdown transmissions 22 and 34, the screw drives respectivelyincluding nuts 19, spindles and nuts 31, spindles 32 which are connectedto the trains A and B have different speeds of rotation. The slowlyrotating transmission train together with the respective heightadjustable machine part to which it is drivingly connected forms theguiding drive. The transmission train rotating at high speed togetherwith the other machine part forms the follow drive. Therefore, with theparticular embodiment shown it is assumed that the transmission train Bhas a low speed and with the supports and the holding means 40 forms theguiding drive. in contrast thereto, the transmission train A associatedwith the machine upper part 15 and acting upon the supporting columns 18rotates at a higher speed and with the machine parts to which it isdrivingly connected forms the follow drive. It is, of course, alsopossible that the transmission train A forms the guiding drive and thetransmission train B forms the follow drive provided that the speed ofthe latter exceeds the speed of the transmission train A.

The control of the transmission trains A and B in the above mentionedarrangement is effected by the switches b3, b4, and b5 in conformitywith the circuit of P16. 5, the switch b4 merely functioning as a safetyswitch. According to the circuit, the switches b3, b4 and 175 are eachprovided in a circuit S1, S2 and S4 respectively, said circuits beingconnected to the control voltage lines I and ii. By means of anauxiliary relay d1, the contacts b3 and b4 of the switches b3 and b4 areinserted in the circuit S3, and by means of the auxiliary relay d2 thecontact b5 of switch b5 is inserted in the circuit S5. The circuit 55furthermore comprises a contact Kd1 of the relay d1. The motor 37 of thetransmission train B has associated therewith the relays C1 and C2,whereas the motor 26 of the transmission chain A has associatedtherewith the relays C3 and C4. The relays C1, C2, C3 and C4 arerespectively arranged in a control circuit S6, S7, S8 and S9 connectedto the control voltage lines I and 11. The circuit S6 comprises afurther contact Kdl of the relay d1 and also a pushbutton switch bl forupward adjustment. in circuit S7 there is arranged a pushbutton switchb2 with the contact Ka'l of relay d1 and adapted to serve as a manualmeans for reversibly energizing the motor respectively for the secondmachine part. The circuit S8 comprises a contact Kd of the relay d2 anda contact K01 of the relay C1. A further contact Kd2" of relay d2 and acontact K02 of the relay C2 are provided in the circuit S9. For purposesof connecting the motors 37 and 26 to the network, the motor relays C1,C2, C3, and C4 are provided with contacts K01, K03, and K04,respectively.

For purposes of preparing the height adjustment of the holding orcarrier means and machine upper part 15, the strip 48 has its widesurface side 48b arranged opposite the switch b3 and b4 and has itsnarrow surface side arranged opposite the switch b5; the control voltagelines I and II are connected to the net work by a standard switch, notshown in the drawing. The thus effective switches b3 and b4 by means ofthe contacts b3 and b4 will close the circuit S3. As a result thereofthe relay d1 is energized and closes the contact Kdl" in circuit S5, thecontact Kdl in circuit S6, and the contact Kdl in circuit S7. Switch b5which has likewise become effective, by means of its contact b5, willclose the circuit S5 and energize the relay d2. As a result thereof, thepreviously closed contact Kd2 in circuit S8 will open, whereas thesimultaneously actuated contact Kd in circuit S9 will close.

When after the just described preparation of the units a heightadjustment is effected by actuation of the switches bl, the relay C1 isenergized and by means of its contact K01 prepares the control circuitS8 and by means of its contact K01 connects the motor 37 to the network.Under the influence of the now driven transmission train B, the supportupper parts 30b and thus the holding or carrier means 40 carry out anupward movement. If of the switches b3, b4 and b5, the switch b5 of theguiding drive (said switches b3, b4 and b5 being moved in thisconnection by the traverse 43), passes beyond the effective range of thenarrow surface side of strip 48, the contact b5 will be opened. Thedisengaged relay d2 by means of its contact Kd2 close the circuit S8.The thus energized relay C3 will by means of its contact K03 will nowcontact the motor 26 to the network so that through the intervention ofthe driven transmission train A, acting upon the supporting columns 18,also the machine upper part 15 together with the strip 48 will be movedupwardly.

Inasmuch as the transmission train A of the follow drive has a higherspeed than the train B of the guiding drive, the machine upper part 15naturally will be moved upwardly faster than the holding or carriermeans 40 whereby it will catch up with the latter. When in this way thenarrow surface side 48b of the strip 48 comes into the range of theswitch b5, the latter again will become effective and through the closedcontact b5 and the furthermore maintained contact Kdl" will energize therelay d2 which latter with the opening of contact Ka'2 disengages therelay C3 from the circuit S8. The de-energized relay C3 will in its turnby means of contact K03 disengage the motor 26 from the network so thatthe upward movement of the machine upper part 15 with the aid of thebrake 27 will be stopped immediately.

The guiding drive, further driven by the motor 37, moves the holding orcarrier means 40 continuously upwardly and when reaching itspredetermined height desired for a predetermined vessel height will bestopped by releasing switch bl. The described cycles will be repeatedone or a plurality of times so that each time when the continuouslyupwardly moved switch b leaves the range of the narrow strip 48b, themotor 26 of the follow drive will be turned on and after effectedfollow-up movement of the follow drive to the respective height range ofthe guiding drive will be turned off when the thus upwardly moved narrowstrip surface 48b enters the range of the switch b5.

The downward movement of the machine upper part and of the holding orcarrier carrier means 40 from the above mentioned preparing position iseffected by actuation of the switch b2, which latter through themaintained contact Kdl energizes the relay C2. This relay C2 by means ofcontact K02 will connect the motor 37 to the network so that the guidingdrive becomes effective and moves the holding or carrier means 40continuously downwardly. The contact K02 which is simultaneouslyactuated with the contact K02 through the maintained contact Kd2 willclose the circuit S9. The thus energized relay C4 through the motorcontacts K04, also will turn on the motor 26. When, with the now commondownward movement of the holding or carrier means 40 and of the machineupper part 15, the strip 48, which moves downward faster with the followdrive has its narrow surface side 48b leave the range of the switch b5,the latter releases the contact b5 and de-energizes the relay d2,whereby the contact Kd2" opens. The now de-energized relay C4 by meansof contact K04 causes the motor 26 to stop. The common downward movementof the holding or carrier means 40 and the machine upper part 15 iscontinued as soon as the switch b5 again enters the range of the narrowstrip surface 48b and through the closed contact b5 energizes the relayd2 and through the contact Kd2" energizes the relay C4 which latter, bymeans of contact K04, turns on the motor 26. Also during the downwardmovement of the holding means 40 and machine upper part 15, thedescribed cycles are repeated one or a plurality of times and the cyclesare finished as soon as at the desired height adjustment the switch b2is released.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the particular showing in the drawings, but alsocomprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vessel filling machine; a rotatable horizontal machine tablehaving circumferentially distributed vessel supporting means thereon, amachine upper part forming one moveable machine part and having aplurality of valve controlled filling elements thereon aligned with saidvessel supporting means, circumferentially distributed first verticalscrew drive means supporting said machine upper part on said table forvertical adjustment of said machine upper part, holding means forminganother machine part and having valve actuating means thereon,circumferentially distributed second vertical screw drive means forvertical adjustment thereof, a first motor operatively connected to saidfirst screw drive means, a second motor operatively connected to saidsecond screw drive means, a first of said machine parts movingvertically more rapidly than the second thereof when the respective saidmotor is energized, manual means for reversibly energizing the motor forthe said second machine part, and control means responsive to apredetermined amount of movement of said second machine part in thevertical direction relative to said first machine part to causeenergization of the motor for said first machine part to move said firstmachine part in the same direction as said second machine part, saidcontrol means causing said motor for the first machine part to bedeenergized when said first machine part reaches a predeterminedposition relative to said second machine part.

2. A vessel filling machine according to claim 1 in which said controlmeans comprises switch means on one of said machine parts and actuatingmeans therefor on the other of said machine parts whereby relativemovement of said machine parts will actuate and release said switchmeans.

3. A vessel filling machine according to claim 1 in which said firstmachine part in said machine upper part and said second machine part issaid holding means, said actuating means comprising switch means on oneof said machine parts and actuating means therefor on the other of saidmachine parts whereby relative movement of said machine parts willactuate and release said switch means, at least one of said switch meansand actuating means being vertically adjustable on the respectivemachine part.

4. A vessel filling machine according to claim 3 in which said switchmeans comprises a magnetic proximity switch and said actuating meanscomprises a magnetic strip, said switch and strip being supported on therespective machine parts near the center of the machine at the'topthereof.

5. A vessel filling machine according to claim 2 in which the energizingcircuit for the motor connected to said second machine part includesswitch means in circuit with said manual means and operable to interruptthe said energizing circuit in response to a predetermined amount ofmovement of said second machine part relative to said first machine partgreater than the first mentioned predetermined amount of movement.

6. A vessel filling machine according to claim 3 in which said switchmeans comprises first magnetic proximity switch means and said actuatingmeans comprises a magnetic strip, the energizing circuit for the motorfor said second machine part including second proximity switch meansalso under the control of said magnetic strip.

7. A vessel filling machine according to claim 6 in which said magneticstrip comprises a wider portion influencing said second proximity switchmeans and a narrower portion influencing said first proximity switchmeans.

8. A vessel filling machine according to claim 7-in which said secondproximity switch means comprises a pair of proximity switches under thecontrol of said magnetic strip and serially arranged.

9. A vessel filling machine according to claim 1 in which each of saidscrew drive means comprises a nonrotatable nut and a screw rotatabletherein and extending upwardly therefrom, an inner column supportingeach nut and extending downwardly therefrom, and an outer columntelescopically engaging each inner column and extending upwardly fromthe upper end thereof and connected to the respective machine part.

10. A vessel filling machine according to claim 9 which includes speedreducing means interposed between each said motor and each said screwdriven thereby.

11. A vessel filling machine according to claim 10 which includes brakemeans operatively associated with the screws driven by each motor.

1. In a vessel filling machine; a rotatable horizontal machine tablehaving circumferentially distributed vessel supporting means thereon, amachine upper part forming one moveable machine part and having aplurality of valve controlled filling elements thereon aligned with saidvessel supporting means, circumferentially distributed first verticalscrew drive means supporting said machine upper part on said table forvertical adjustment of said machine upper part, holding means forminganother machine part and having valve actuating means thereon,circumferentially distributed second vertical screw drive means forvertical adjustment thereof, a first motor operatively connected to saidfirst screw drive means, a second motor operatively connected to saidsecond screw drive means, a first of said machine parts movingvertically more rapidly than the second thereof when the respective saidmotor is energized, manual means for reversibly energizing the motor forthe said second machine part, and control means responsive to apredetermined amount of movement of said second machine part in thevertical direction relative to said first machine part to causeenergization of the motor for said first machine part to move said firstmachine part in the same direction as said second machine part, saidcontrol means causing said motor for the first machine part to bedeenergized when said first machine part reaches a predeterminedposition relative to said second machine part.
 2. A vessel fillingmachine according to claim 1 in which said control means comprisesswitch means on one of said machine parts and actuating means thereforon the other of said machine parts whereby relative movement of saidmachine parts will actuate and release said switch means.
 3. A vesselfilling machine according to claim 1 in which said first machine part insaid machine upper part and said second machine part is said holdingmeans, said actuating means comprising switch means on one of saidmachine parts and actuating means therefor on the other of said machineparts whereby relative movement of said machine parts will actuate andrelease said switch means, at least one of said switch means andactuating means being vertically adjustable on the respective machinepart.
 4. A vessel filling machine according to claim 3 in which saidswitch means comprises a magnetic proximity switch and said actuatingmeans comprises a magnetic strip, said switch and strip being supportedon the respective machine parts near the center of the machine at thetop thereof.
 5. A vessel filling machine according to claim 2 in whichthe energizing circuit for the motor connected to said second machinepart includes switch means in circuit with said manual means andoperable to interrupt the said energizing circuit in response to apredetermined amount of movement of said second machine part relative tosaid first machine part greater than the first mentioned predeterminedamount of movement.
 6. A vessel filling machine according to claim 3 inwhich said switch means comprises first magnetic proximity switch meansand said actuating means comprises a magnetic strip, the energizingcircuit for the motor for said second machine part including secondproximity switch means also under the control of said magnetic strip. 7.A vessel filling machine according to claim 6 in which said magneticstrip comprises a wider portion influencing said second proximity switchmeans and a narrower portion influencing said first proximity switchmeans.
 8. A vessel filling machine according to claim 7 in which saidsecond proximity switch means comprises a pair of proximity switchesunder the control of said magnetic strip and serially arranged.
 9. Avessel filling machine according to claim 1 in which each of said screwdrive means comprises a non-rotatable nut and a screw rotatable thereinand extending upwardly therefrom, an inner column supporting each nutand extending downwardly therefrom, and an outer column telescopicallyengaging each inner column and extending upwardly from the upper endthereof and connected to the respective machine part.
 10. A vesselfilling machine according to claim 9 which includes speed reducing meansinterposed between each said motor and each said screw driven thereby.11. A vessel filling machine according to claim 10 which includes brakemeans operatively associated with the screws driven by each motor.